According to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK new car market declined -4.4% in September. The sector recorded 328,041 new registrations in the month, -15.8% lower than the 10-year average of around 390,000 units for September.
Private registrations fell by -1.1% over the month. Demand from business saw around 10,000 fewer cars joining larger fleets, representing a -5.8% decline.
However, battery electric and plug-in hybrid car uptake grew substantially to account for more than one in 10 registrations. Demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) increased by 184.3% compared with September last year, with the month accounting for a third of all 2020’s BEV registrations.
The decrease in September car registrations could be down to vehicle supply, a major issue that was highlighted by BVRLA members in the association’s COVID survey results. There seems to be a shortage of ‘the right cars’ being available as OEMs have been conservative in their ramp up of production.
The UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew by +26.4% in September. In total, 52,096 vans, pickups and 4x4s were registered in the month.
Nearly all segments saw double digit increases against previous low volumes in 2019 (due to emission regulation changes), with the only exception being small vans weighing less than or equal to 2.0 tonnes decreasing -2.5%, 74 vans fewer than last year. Registrations of medium vans weighing more than 2.0 tonnes to up to 2.5 tonnes grew +11.6%, while larger vans weighing more than 2.5 and up to 3.5 tonnes saw an increase of 9,000 units or +40.9% on September last year.
Read more on the latest vehicle registration data on the SMMT website.
